Protocols for inducing homeostatic plasticity reflected in the corticospinal excitability in healthy human participants: A systematic review and meta?analysis

Homeostatic plasticity complements synaptic by stabilising neural activity within a physiological range. In humans, homeostatic is investigated using two blocks of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) with an interval without between blocks. The aim this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the effect induction protocols on motor evoked potentials (MEP) in healthy participants. Four databases were searched (Medline, Scopus, Embase Cochrane library). Studies describing application NIBS primary cortex no reporting changes corticospinal excitability MEP amplitude included. Thirty-seven reports 55 experiments (700 participants) Study quality considered poor overall, heterogeneity study size, sample designs. Two excitatory at produced response (decreased MEP) 0 30 min post-protocols, when compared single block. inhibitory duration 10 or less (increased There differences MEPs baseline MEPs. conclusion, produces up post-protocol. Improvements participant selection, sizes techniques are needed.